In a 3-2 vote, the Baldwin City Council approved its budget Monday night.
The total fiscal year 2012 general fund budget revenues are $1.52 million with expenditures totaling $1.48 million. The total enterprise funds revenues are $3.07 million for 2012 with expenses at $3.12 million.
Council members Rodney King and Beverly Holcombe voted against the budget, while Sandi Rudeseal, Robert Bohannon and Jeff Parrish voted in favor of it.
The general fund budget includes a $60,000 salary for the city administrator’s position with human resources and finance director Karen Degges being promoted to this position effective Aug. 1.
The proposed general fund budget also includes a new position for a part-time revenue officer/animal control officer at $14.50 per hour.
A budget hearing was held last week but no citizens attended.
In other financial business, a discussion was held on the possibility of lowering the millage rate by a quarter of a percent. No action was taken but this will be discussed further at the August work session.
Degges also presented information on the Habersham County tax digest where assessments are down $3 million.
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BOC ‘dismisses’ personnel officer
Long-time personnel officer Judy Greer was fired last week by the Banks County Board of Commissioners after a 30-minute closed session.
The BOC met in closed session to discuss personnel after Greer read over 12 issues she has had, including concerns over the selection of a health insurance provider for the county. The county recently changed from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to United Healthcare.
Greer had asked at the meeting to be transferred to an open clerical position at the sheriff’s office. Instead, the commissioners unanimously voted after the closed session to “dismiss’ Greer, who had served as the county’s personnel officer for seven years.
Sheriff Charles Chapman, who handles personnel decisions for his department, later hired Greer to fill the clerical position.
At last week’s BOC meeting, commissioner Charles Turk said that he had asked Greer for bids for health insurance coverage and he did not receive them.
“We asked for three independent brokers,” Turk said. “We didn’t want three insurance plans from one broker. We asked for different brokers. We are talking about $1 million from our budget. I think the citizens deserve independent bids from more than one broker.”
Greer responded, “Never once did you ask me.”
Commissioners Ernest Rogers and Sammy Reece said they had also asked that bids be taken on the insurance coverage.
Greer also outlined her concerns with the representative of the new insurance company.
“I’ve never experienced a situation like I did with Mr. Christopher,” she said.
The BOC met in closed session to discuss personnel after Greer read over 12 issues she has had, including concerns over the selection of a health insurance provider for the county. The county recently changed from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to United Healthcare.
Greer had asked at the meeting to be transferred to an open clerical position at the sheriff’s office. Instead, the commissioners unanimously voted after the closed session to “dismiss’ Greer, who had served as the county’s personnel officer for seven years.
Sheriff Charles Chapman, who handles personnel decisions for his department, later hired Greer to fill the clerical position.
At last week’s BOC meeting, commissioner Charles Turk said that he had asked Greer for bids for health insurance coverage and he did not receive them.
“We asked for three independent brokers,” Turk said. “We didn’t want three insurance plans from one broker. We asked for different brokers. We are talking about $1 million from our budget. I think the citizens deserve independent bids from more than one broker.”
Greer responded, “Never once did you ask me.”
Commissioners Ernest Rogers and Sammy Reece said they had also asked that bids be taken on the insurance coverage.
Greer also outlined her concerns with the representative of the new insurance company.
“I’ve never experienced a situation like I did with Mr. Christopher,” she said.
Hartwell woman killed in Lula wreck on Wednesday
The Georgia State Patrol reports Kristin Snyder, 32, Hartwell, was killed Wednesday in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 51 South in Lula.
[Full Story »]
Degges named city administrator for Baldwin
In a 3-2 vote, the Baldwin City Council agreed Monday night to include $60,000 in the new budget for a city administrator position to be held by Karen Degges, beginning Aug. 1.
Council member Robert Bohannon made the motion to approve this action. Council members Jeff Parrish and Sandi Rudeseal voted in favor of the motion. Beverly Holcomb and Rodney King voted against Bohannon’s motion.
Council member King suggested funding the city administrator’s position for six-months, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, instead of filling the position in July.
Bohannon had asked Degges to submit two scenarios to the council at its next meeting, one showing the city administrator’s position funded for only six months and another for a full year.
The council also approved, in a 3-2 vote, a motion made by Bohannon to include the following in the 2011-12 proposed budget: hire a part-time revenue officer with an annual salary of $22,620 effective 9-1-11; keep current full-time city clerk at an annual salary of $30,160; make part-time finance analyst full-time at an annual salary of $36,000; keep part-time accounts payable clerk at an annual salary of $19,305; and add in-house animal control expenses of $2,650.
At Monday’s council meeting, the council also unanimously approved including a two percent pay raise for all city employees in the proposed 2011-12 budget.
BUDGET HEARING COMING UP
A budget hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 18, to present the 2011-12 budgets to the public for review. The hearing will be held in the courtroom at the Baldwin Police Department. The proposed general fund budget totals $1.51 million in revenues and $1.48 million in expenditures.
The mayor, council members and department heads will be on hand at the budget hearing to hear comments and answer questions from the public about the proposed budgets.
The proposed enterprise fund budget totals $3.07 million in revenues and $3.11 million in expenditures.
Degges said a member of the city’s 2010 auditing firm, Rushton and Company, would also be on hand to go over the city’s recently-completed audit.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
•the council unanimously approved the 2012 Banks County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) intergovernmental agreement for the use and distribution of proceeds from the 20012 SPLOST for capital outlay projects. Baldwin’s projects include sewage system, water system and road improvements.
•the council approved using Habersham County SPLOST IV funds to replace the city’s SPLOST V account for the following projects in 2010-2011: chipper truck, $6,000; Engineering Management Inc., Park Avenue paving services, $4,600; water treatment plant pump building, $28,500; J. Warren Road pump replacement, $7,400; and one two-barrel fire hydrant replacement, $1,721.The council was just made aware in the past couple of months of the funds left in the Habersham County SPLOST IV account.
•the council unanimously approved council meeting minutes for January through May meetings – minus the Jan. 17 meeting which were already approved. King abstained from the vote. “King said, “I abstain since I didn’t have a chance to go over all the minutes. I have been taking care of my Mom.”
•city clerk Mirinda Dispain advised the council that the June meetings minutes, plus the minutes from Thursday’s and Monday’s meetings, would be presented at the July 25 council meeting for adoption. Dispain said she is attempting to get the minutes caught up so that the minutes from one meeting will be approved at the next meeting.
Council member Robert Bohannon made the motion to approve this action. Council members Jeff Parrish and Sandi Rudeseal voted in favor of the motion. Beverly Holcomb and Rodney King voted against Bohannon’s motion.
Council member King suggested funding the city administrator’s position for six-months, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, instead of filling the position in July.
Bohannon had asked Degges to submit two scenarios to the council at its next meeting, one showing the city administrator’s position funded for only six months and another for a full year.
The council also approved, in a 3-2 vote, a motion made by Bohannon to include the following in the 2011-12 proposed budget: hire a part-time revenue officer with an annual salary of $22,620 effective 9-1-11; keep current full-time city clerk at an annual salary of $30,160; make part-time finance analyst full-time at an annual salary of $36,000; keep part-time accounts payable clerk at an annual salary of $19,305; and add in-house animal control expenses of $2,650.
At Monday’s council meeting, the council also unanimously approved including a two percent pay raise for all city employees in the proposed 2011-12 budget.
BUDGET HEARING COMING UP
A budget hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 18, to present the 2011-12 budgets to the public for review. The hearing will be held in the courtroom at the Baldwin Police Department. The proposed general fund budget totals $1.51 million in revenues and $1.48 million in expenditures.
The mayor, council members and department heads will be on hand at the budget hearing to hear comments and answer questions from the public about the proposed budgets.
The proposed enterprise fund budget totals $3.07 million in revenues and $3.11 million in expenditures.
Degges said a member of the city’s 2010 auditing firm, Rushton and Company, would also be on hand to go over the city’s recently-completed audit.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business at Monday’s meeting:
•the council unanimously approved the 2012 Banks County Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) intergovernmental agreement for the use and distribution of proceeds from the 20012 SPLOST for capital outlay projects. Baldwin’s projects include sewage system, water system and road improvements.
•the council approved using Habersham County SPLOST IV funds to replace the city’s SPLOST V account for the following projects in 2010-2011: chipper truck, $6,000; Engineering Management Inc., Park Avenue paving services, $4,600; water treatment plant pump building, $28,500; J. Warren Road pump replacement, $7,400; and one two-barrel fire hydrant replacement, $1,721.The council was just made aware in the past couple of months of the funds left in the Habersham County SPLOST IV account.
•the council unanimously approved council meeting minutes for January through May meetings – minus the Jan. 17 meeting which were already approved. King abstained from the vote. “King said, “I abstain since I didn’t have a chance to go over all the minutes. I have been taking care of my Mom.”
•city clerk Mirinda Dispain advised the council that the June meetings minutes, plus the minutes from Thursday’s and Monday’s meetings, would be presented at the July 25 council meeting for adoption. Dispain said she is attempting to get the minutes caught up so that the minutes from one meeting will be approved at the next meeting.
Lula man injured in Hall County wreck
The Georgia State Patrol reports Stephen Forrester, 49, Lula, was life-flighted to Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Thursday, for injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident in Hall County.
The state patrol says Forrester’s car was headed north on Interstate 985 in the Rabbittown community when it went into the median, traveled 500 feet, and went down a concrete median, landing on its top in the eastbound lanes of Highway 369 – Jesse Jewell Parkway/Old Cornelia Highway – below.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
The state patrol says Forrester’s car was headed north on Interstate 985 in the Rabbittown community when it went into the median, traveled 500 feet, and went down a concrete median, landing on its top in the eastbound lanes of Highway 369 – Jesse Jewell Parkway/Old Cornelia Highway – below.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Armed robbery reported at area business
A woman was parked at Wal-Mart just after midnight on July 4 when she was robbed by a man who said he had a gun.
The victim said she was in her car with her two children waiting for her husband, who was in the store, when a man tapped on her window, according to Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman. She said she opened the window and the man, descried as a slender white man with sandy blond hair, demanded her purse and said he had a gun. She gave him her purse and he left in a beige or gold colored four-door vehicle, driving toward Jackson County.
No one was injured.
The Banks County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the armed robbery.
The victim said she was in her car with her two children waiting for her husband, who was in the store, when a man tapped on her window, according to Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman. She said she opened the window and the man, descried as a slender white man with sandy blond hair, demanded her purse and said he had a gun. She gave him her purse and he left in a beige or gold colored four-door vehicle, driving toward Jackson County.
No one was injured.
The Banks County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the armed robbery.
Fatality in Banks County wreck
A Commerce man was killed Monday morning in a one-vehicle wreck on Hwy. 51 South.
Albert Lee Likens II, 56, Commerce, was driving a 2001 Mack truck, owned by Waste Management of Homer, when he left the roadway around 7:46 a.m. and his vehicle rolled several times.
There were no passengers in the truck.
Albert Lee Likens II, 56, Commerce, was driving a 2001 Mack truck, owned by Waste Management of Homer, when he left the roadway around 7:46 a.m. and his vehicle rolled several times.
There were no passengers in the truck.
Banks students excel on CRCT
Banks County 5th and 8th Grade students mostly excelled on this year’s CRCT testing, doing well in areas that other schools have struggled with.
The state released system-wide results last week and will release individual school results next month.
Banks County 8th Graders had strongest results in Math where the system was in the top 10 statewide. Banks 8th Graders had a low failure rate of 6.1 percent in Math, far below the state’s average of 22.3 percent.
Eighth graders also did well in Science ranking among the top 20 school systems in the state and in Social Studies where the local failure rates were about half of the state average.
In the 5th Grade, Banks showed dramatic improvement in Math by improving its failure rate from 19.9 percent last year to 6.8 percent this year.
The state released system-wide results last week and will release individual school results next month.
Banks County 8th Graders had strongest results in Math where the system was in the top 10 statewide. Banks 8th Graders had a low failure rate of 6.1 percent in Math, far below the state’s average of 22.3 percent.
Eighth graders also did well in Science ranking among the top 20 school systems in the state and in Social Studies where the local failure rates were about half of the state average.
In the 5th Grade, Banks showed dramatic improvement in Math by improving its failure rate from 19.9 percent last year to 6.8 percent this year.
GPA attorney says email to council on budget is an open record
Baldwin finance director Karen Degges claims that an email she wrote city officials should not have been released because it falls under “attorney-client” documents but Georgia Press Association attorney David Hudson said that is not the case and it is an open record.
“The attorney-client privilege would only apply to communications concerning pending litigation or claims between the city and its attorney,” Hudson said. “ It does not cover communications by a city employee to council members.”
In the email, Degges pushed the city council to meet separate to discuss the budget so that the public (and press) would not be present.
“I apologize to the council, the city attorney, staff and the media for not doing a better job of managing the many budget issues, managing Saturday’s meeting in a more effective manner, and by any of my actions that would lead anyone to think the city was attempting to hide anything from the public,” Degges said. “As the budget process unfolds, I believe all concerned will see the City was and is trying to be as forthcoming as possible on all issues, while trying to be sensitive to the feelings of our employees.”
DEGGES EMAIL
The email Degges sent to the city council members and the city attorney is as follows:
Email dated: Monday, June 13, 2011 11:38 AM
Good morning everyone,
Saturday’s meeting was one more challenging that I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday’s work session). Clearly there is a huge amount of media interest in the activities of Baldwin, on an extremely detailed level that I have not seen with the other cities I’ve worked for. Unfortunately, the handouts I had prepared for you folks included detailed information about employee salaries, as I thought we were going to be in the position where we could have much more frank discussion about the budgets submitted by the department heads. I had hoped we would leave that meeting with a clear outline of what needed to be cut, or some clear direction from the council as to what staff should do to get the budget in presentation form. We could not get to that goal with the added distraction of having the press literally sitting right there on top of us looking at the notes being taken by the City Clerk and Council members, asking questions, and providing their input as to what we should be budgeting for. I am all for transparency in government, but not when it’s to the point where work is being impeded and the line between who is staff and who is media is being blurred. It took us four hours to get through the budget summary, which had no detailed information at all.
It is going to be very difficult to have another public meeting, which is scheduled for this Thursday at 5:30 at City Hall, and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and/or tax increases to fund what has been requested. Sharon and I had some disagreement first thing Saturday when she asked for a complete set of handouts, which were draft working documents (and labeled so) for our internal use. Initially I refused to provide her with anything, but then she said she was going to ask the Mayor for a set of documents. Then I relented and gave her Robert’s copy of the 3 page departmental summary, and she advised she would be writing up any number we discussed in our meeting. That forced me to hang onto the other handouts. It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase.
Normally all of this behind the scenes discussion of budget details, salaries and proposed budget cuts would be handled by staff (under the City Manager’s direction) prior to presenting the budget to the elected officials. The use of a budget committee of 3 elected officials was discussed but not implemented on Saturday. Since everyone indicated they want to be involved in the budget process (and it is your right to be as elected officials), I think some serious thought needs to be given as to whether or not we want to continue doing this level of detailed discussion and possible disagreement (about what and where to cut) in full view of the press. My primary concern is preserving some level of privacy for our employees, who do not want their pay detailed on the front page of the newspaper for all of their neighbors to see.
I will be putting together some numbers this afternoon on a few different scenarios for possible cost savings, and I would much prefer to meet with three of you Thursday morning, and the second three Thursday afternoon, and it be done as two staff meetings, than be forced to provide the press an abundance of sensitive information, including employee salaries, in a public meeting. Not to mention how much longer it will take to get through all this information in that type of meeting structure. If we proceed with the original plan, the hand-outs used will (I feel sure) be challenged again, and be again requested by the media. Even if those aren’t distributed, everything we say will be public record.
I do not want to take away from or diminish anyone’s participation, but to do this type of detailed budget work in front of the press is not going to be easy or pleasant. Please think this over and let me know if you still want to have the Special Called Meeting on Thursday, or handle this as two separate staff meetings. No matter what is decided, I will try to adjust the content of any handouts accordingly, and at least be more prepared for full publication of any documents.
If any of you have any questions about the material I gave you to take home, please give me a call or stop by and I will be happy to assist you.
Karen
“The attorney-client privilege would only apply to communications concerning pending litigation or claims between the city and its attorney,” Hudson said. “ It does not cover communications by a city employee to council members.”
In the email, Degges pushed the city council to meet separate to discuss the budget so that the public (and press) would not be present.
“I apologize to the council, the city attorney, staff and the media for not doing a better job of managing the many budget issues, managing Saturday’s meeting in a more effective manner, and by any of my actions that would lead anyone to think the city was attempting to hide anything from the public,” Degges said. “As the budget process unfolds, I believe all concerned will see the City was and is trying to be as forthcoming as possible on all issues, while trying to be sensitive to the feelings of our employees.”
DEGGES EMAIL
The email Degges sent to the city council members and the city attorney is as follows:
Email dated: Monday, June 13, 2011 11:38 AM
Good morning everyone,
Saturday’s meeting was one more challenging that I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday’s work session). Clearly there is a huge amount of media interest in the activities of Baldwin, on an extremely detailed level that I have not seen with the other cities I’ve worked for. Unfortunately, the handouts I had prepared for you folks included detailed information about employee salaries, as I thought we were going to be in the position where we could have much more frank discussion about the budgets submitted by the department heads. I had hoped we would leave that meeting with a clear outline of what needed to be cut, or some clear direction from the council as to what staff should do to get the budget in presentation form. We could not get to that goal with the added distraction of having the press literally sitting right there on top of us looking at the notes being taken by the City Clerk and Council members, asking questions, and providing their input as to what we should be budgeting for. I am all for transparency in government, but not when it’s to the point where work is being impeded and the line between who is staff and who is media is being blurred. It took us four hours to get through the budget summary, which had no detailed information at all.
It is going to be very difficult to have another public meeting, which is scheduled for this Thursday at 5:30 at City Hall, and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and/or tax increases to fund what has been requested. Sharon and I had some disagreement first thing Saturday when she asked for a complete set of handouts, which were draft working documents (and labeled so) for our internal use. Initially I refused to provide her with anything, but then she said she was going to ask the Mayor for a set of documents. Then I relented and gave her Robert’s copy of the 3 page departmental summary, and she advised she would be writing up any number we discussed in our meeting. That forced me to hang onto the other handouts. It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase.
Normally all of this behind the scenes discussion of budget details, salaries and proposed budget cuts would be handled by staff (under the City Manager’s direction) prior to presenting the budget to the elected officials. The use of a budget committee of 3 elected officials was discussed but not implemented on Saturday. Since everyone indicated they want to be involved in the budget process (and it is your right to be as elected officials), I think some serious thought needs to be given as to whether or not we want to continue doing this level of detailed discussion and possible disagreement (about what and where to cut) in full view of the press. My primary concern is preserving some level of privacy for our employees, who do not want their pay detailed on the front page of the newspaper for all of their neighbors to see.
I will be putting together some numbers this afternoon on a few different scenarios for possible cost savings, and I would much prefer to meet with three of you Thursday morning, and the second three Thursday afternoon, and it be done as two staff meetings, than be forced to provide the press an abundance of sensitive information, including employee salaries, in a public meeting. Not to mention how much longer it will take to get through all this information in that type of meeting structure. If we proceed with the original plan, the hand-outs used will (I feel sure) be challenged again, and be again requested by the media. Even if those aren’t distributed, everything we say will be public record.
I do not want to take away from or diminish anyone’s participation, but to do this type of detailed budget work in front of the press is not going to be easy or pleasant. Please think this over and let me know if you still want to have the Special Called Meeting on Thursday, or handle this as two separate staff meetings. No matter what is decided, I will try to adjust the content of any handouts accordingly, and at least be more prepared for full publication of any documents.
If any of you have any questions about the material I gave you to take home, please give me a call or stop by and I will be happy to assist you.
Karen
Baldwin budget finance director seeks secrecy in budget process; tax hike possible
The Baldwin City Council will meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to again discuss the town’s 2012 budget, although officials had been pressured by town finance director Karen Degges to keep the budget process secret.
Under the current draft budget, the city is looking to increase spending by 8.3 percent, a move that would likely force a tax hike. Among the increased spending is more money for administrative positions, including a city administrator at $60,000 per year, a part-time administrative assistant and taking a part-time finance analyst to full-time.
But Baldwin’s budget process so far has been confused by Degges efforts to keep both the public and media at bay. The council held a highly unusual called meeting at 7 a.m. last Saturday morning to discuss the budget. The timing was apparently a move to keep the discussions secret.
A Banks County News reporter showed up and was met with a hostile reception by Degges. The finance director refused to give the reporter copies of the proposed budget, saying it was secret, a clear violation of state law. The reporter eventually got a copy of an overview sheet, but Degges waited until after the meeting to hand out details to council members to avoid giving the media a copy.
Monday, Degges sent an email to the council complaining about the media showing up Saturday.
"Saturday's meeting was more challenging than I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday's work session,)” Degges wrote.
Degges also pushed the council to cancel Thursday’s meeting to allow her to meet in small groups with council members in an effort to avoid having to have a public budget meeting.
"It's going to be very difficult to have another public meeting…. and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and or tax increases....,” Degges wrote in her Monday email. “It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase." [Full Story »]
Under the current draft budget, the city is looking to increase spending by 8.3 percent, a move that would likely force a tax hike. Among the increased spending is more money for administrative positions, including a city administrator at $60,000 per year, a part-time administrative assistant and taking a part-time finance analyst to full-time.
But Baldwin’s budget process so far has been confused by Degges efforts to keep both the public and media at bay. The council held a highly unusual called meeting at 7 a.m. last Saturday morning to discuss the budget. The timing was apparently a move to keep the discussions secret.
A Banks County News reporter showed up and was met with a hostile reception by Degges. The finance director refused to give the reporter copies of the proposed budget, saying it was secret, a clear violation of state law. The reporter eventually got a copy of an overview sheet, but Degges waited until after the meeting to hand out details to council members to avoid giving the media a copy.
Monday, Degges sent an email to the council complaining about the media showing up Saturday.
"Saturday's meeting was more challenging than I had hoped it would be, with the unexpected attendance by the media (after they said they would not be there at last Thursday's work session,)” Degges wrote.
Degges also pushed the council to cancel Thursday’s meeting to allow her to meet in small groups with council members in an effort to avoid having to have a public budget meeting.
"It's going to be very difficult to have another public meeting…. and go into the level of detail that will be needed to examine potential budget cuts and or tax increases....,” Degges wrote in her Monday email. “It will be inflammatory enough in the paper to have her print (as I am expecting) that staff has asked for an additional $150,000 in funding, which will require a 2.5 tax mil increase." [Full Story »]
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